Chapter 15 #4
Unfazed, Ilsbeth held the knife over the blood, her voice booming through the rain. “I cast the vampire out of the wolf and banish it to our creator. Any bonds shall be broken, its bloodlust gone forever. All that remains is the Alpha who fulfills the prophecy.”
Skylar bit her lips aware she was the bond. With this spell, her connection to Rafe would forever be broken. She waited for the aching feeling inside her to dissipate, her focus on Rafe as Ilsbeth continued.
The voice of the High Priestess billowed into the air as she cast the spell.
“Hoc incantamento, te libero vampyrum, in regnum Deae pulsum. Surge lupus, Alpha qui prophetiam adimplere destinatur. Sanguine et igne, lupum bestiae libero. Hoc sanguine…” Ilsbeth held up the cauldron towards the sky.
“Hoc incantamento, te libero vampyrum, in regnum Deae exiliatum. Te ungo sanguine circuli tui, sanguine Summae Sacerdotissae, hominis tui devincti, vampyri antiqui qui sanguinem creatoris tui communicat, et dimidio demone inferno qui cruciatus animarum novit sanguinem creatoris tui communicat, et dimidio demone inferno qui cruciatus animarum novit.”
Skylar gasped, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest as the witch splashed the contents of her cauldron onto Rafe. With blood running down his face and hands, the wolf remained still.
“Dono tibi flammas, flammas ex dolore et inferis natas. Bestiam ex animolupumaduramus.” Ilsbeth leaned over and whispered in Rafe’s ear. She held out her hands, flames igniting from her fingertips.
With the athame raised above her head, her eyes glassed over into an inky black trance, the spell spilling from her lips. “Paratus esto ad integritatem! Universum ex igne natum est, et tu ita nascēris. Dea, liberā lupum eius!”
A bolt of lightning struck Ilsbeth. Skylar’s eyes widened in horror as flames exploded from her hands towards Rafe. Engulfed in flames, he cried out in agony as he shot to his feet, his arms outstretched toward the sky.
Skylar released a bloodcurdling scream. Greyson’s strong arms wrapped around her waist, thwarting her instinct to go to Rafe.
“Do not be afraid, wolf! Rejoice!” Ilsbeth cried out. “For you are made whole!”
“Rafe!” Tears streamed down Skylar’s cheeks. Her heart pounded against her ribs as he began to levitate. Motionless, ablaze, Rafe’s body hovered nearly a foot off the ground.
“Stop!” Skylar cried, attempting to go to him.
“He’s goin’ to be okay. Hold on…hold on…” Greyson looked to Ilsbeth who sliced open her wrist. “Holy shit.”
Blood sprayed up into the air, dousing the flames. Rafe’s body slammed onto the ground with a thud. A plume of smoke exploded into the air, creating a thick haze.
“Rafe!” Skylar screamed as she wrenched her body from Greyson’s grip.
She rushed toward the smoke, coughing as she searched for him. Greyson’s strong hand clasped her arm, tugging her backwards yet again.
“No! Let me go,” she protested.
“It’s okay,” Greyson assured her.
“Rafe!” Skylar called to him, tears streaming down her face.
“Miss Hemlock.” Ilsbeth smiled and gestured to the huge grey wolf. “It is done.”
As he came into view, time stopped. Skylar tugged out of Greyson’s grip, stunned to see the majestic creature standing before her.
She glanced at the High Priestess who wore a confident expression, pleased with her spell. “Are you sure? He’s free?”
“I’m never wrong.” Ilsbeth looked to the near full sun.
“The bond? It’s broken?” Tears streamed down her face.
“Indeed. I present to you, the Alpha.” Ilsbeth smiled, her eyes bright with pride.
Skylar studied the High Priestess, who radiated arrogance. She couldn’t help but wonder if the witch truly cared for Rafe or simply celebrated the impending death of her sister.
On the contrary, Greyson wore a somber expression, worry brewing in his eyes. It was in that moment Skylar sensed the vampire’s doubt. Did he question Rafe’s ability to kill Zyaire? Or the prophecy?
Skylar resisted the urge to go to Rafe, cautious, questioning the dark magick that the witch wielded. Was he the same person? Or had she taken magick that didn’t belong to her?
The sky darkened, unleashing a torrent of rain. Cackling laughter echoed in the distance setting her senses on alert.
“Did you hear that?” Skylar called to Greyson, who looked to the heavens.
“Let’s get out of here.” Greyson stepped toward her, but she stepped back out of his reach.
“No!” Skylar shook her head. “I’m not leaving Rafe.”
Skylar startled as the born-again Alpha released a menacing growl. He shook off the rain. Lightning flashed across the sky, and the resplendent wolf took off running into the woods.
“My sister comes! We must go!” Ilsbeth turned on her heels and set forth toward her home, leaving the others behind.
“Something’s not right here,” Dominique mumbled under her breath as she turned and followed the witch.
“She’s here,” Thorn whispered.
“It’s time to go, love,” Greyson urged as the impending evil descended upon them.
Skylar screamed at the sight of the ominous apparition swirling above in the sky. Zyaire.
Darkness closed in on Skylar, the demonic energy crawling over her skin. Frozen with fear, she was helpless to fight as Greyson set his hand on her shoulder and she disappeared.